Inauguration-night dinner party!

I’m green with envy that several of my friends are going to Washington, D.C., to celebrate Obama’s inauguration. But we’ll be having plenty of fun at our house hosting an inauguration-night dinner party—serving Barack Obama’s favorite food.

It turns out that Obama is a comfort-food guy. His wife, Michelle, has said in interviews that her husband’s favorite grub is a steaming bowl of chili, one of my favorite foods as well. And it’s perfect for a party, since it’s easy to make and the flavor improves with time (i.e., you can make it in advance and reheat it for the party).

A graduate of New England Culinary Institute and University of Wisconsin with a degree in journalism, Carolyn pairs her long-standing love for food with writing as EatingWell's senior food editor. Carolyn’s culinary interest is rooted in her childhood; she grew up making thousands of Christmas cookies every year with her mom and picking leaves off bunches of parsley to make tabbouleh with her dad. Away from the kitchen, Carolyn enjoys seeking out rare craft beers and exploring the outdoors with her husband, young daughter and dog.